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This podcast is about one simple but powerful idea: supporting vulnerable customers better — with empathy, confidence, and good practice. I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical...
show more
This podcast is about one simple but powerful idea: supporting vulnerable customers better — with empathy, confidence, and good practice.
I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical ideas, and fresh perspectives on supporting people when it matters most.
Because vulnerability can affect any of us — at any time.
Join me for Unlocking Vulnerability.
Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation.
show less
I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical ideas, and fresh perspectives on supporting people when it matters most.
Because vulnerability can affect any of us — at any time.
Join me for Unlocking Vulnerability.
Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Transcribed
18 MAY 2026 · In this episode of Unlocking Vulnerability, Helen is joined by Patrick Foley, Managing Director of Sonar Financial Services, to explore the hidden vulnerabilities faced by professional footballers and other high-earning clients.
Patrick shares how sudden wealth, public pressure, limited life experience and intense performance expectations can create unique challenges for young players navigating financial decisions and life in the spotlight.
The conversation explores the importance of holistic, human-centred financial support — from helping clients build healthy financial habits and understand complex information, to recognising signs of emotional distress and providing support during injuries, career transitions and personal challenges.
Patrick also reflects on the role of trust, empathy and long-term planning in helping clients create security beyond their sporting careers, highlighting why vulnerability is about far more than financial hardship alone.
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
Explicit
Transcribed
20 APR 2026 · In this episode of Unlocking Vulnerability, Helen is joined by Lachie Humphreys from BSI and Marcus Long at IIOA to explore the UK’s first workplace standard for suicide awareness and prevention.
Marcus shares the deeply personal story that led to the creation of the standard, while Lachie explains how it was developed through collaboration with experts, organisations, and those with lived experience to create a practical, compassionate framework for organisations.
The conversation highlights how workplaces can move from reactive crisis response to proactive prevention, creating cultures where difficult conversations are not only possible but encouraged.
With a focus on breaking stigma, supporting colleagues, and making suicide prevention “everyone’s business,” this episode offers both a powerful call to action and a practical starting point for organisations looking to make a real difference.
Download the standard:
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/brochures/bs-30480-suicide-and-the-workplace/
Download the First Steps Guide:
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/brochures/suicide-and-the-workplace-a-practical-first-steps-guide/
On-demand recording of BSI’s webinar:
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/media/webinars/bs-30480-suicide-and-the-workplace/
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
Transcribed
30 MAR 2026 · In this episode Helen is joined by Kate Robbins, Head of Customer Policy at Wessex Water, to explore how the understanding of vulnerability has evolved across the utilities sector.
Kate shares how the focus has shifted from labelling “vulnerable customers” to recognising that anyone may need extra support at different points in their lives — and why language, data, and collaboration all play a critical role in delivering better outcomes.
The conversation also dives into practical challenges and innovations, from data sharing and Priority Services Registers to supporting customers experiencing financial difficulty in a changing economic landscape.
Kate highlights the importance of partnership working, listening to lived experiences, and designing services that reduce effort for customers — all underpinned by a simple but powerful principle: every customer matters.
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
Transcribed
9 MAR 2026 · In this episode, Helen is joined by Bridie O’Shea, Customer Insight and Excellence Specialist at Mansfield Building Society. Bridie shares how her role focuses on improving customer journeys and ensuring vulnerable customers receive the support they need.
Together, they explore the importance of going back to basics — embedding vulnerability awareness into everyday practice, building networks of champions across teams, and recognising the often-overlooked needs of carers.
Helen and Bridie also discuss the vital role local branches play in their communities, how meaningful human connections help identify when customers may need extra support, and why this matters even more as financial services become increasingly digital.
From supporting colleagues through difficult conversations to simple acts of kindness that make a real difference, this episode highlights why vulnerability work is a continuous journey of learning, listening and improving.
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
Transcribed
23 FEB 2026 · In this episode, Helen is joined by Natasha Crooks, Vulnerable Customer Manager at Northern Ireland Electricity Networks.
Together we explore how the definition of vulnerability has evolved beyond traditional medical needs to include financial hardship, neurodivergence, language barriers and rural isolation.
Natasha shares how NIE Networks has embedded inclusive service into everyday practice — from expanding their customer care register and launching a dedicated vulnerable customer team, to partnering with organisations like Jam Card, Disability Action and Advice NI.
The conversation also reflects on supporting customers during major storm events, handling suicidal conversations with confidence, and the importance of looking after colleagues who manage emotionally demanding calls.
This episode highlights a simple but powerful truth: sometimes customers don’t just need their power restored — they need someone who will listen.
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
Transcribed
9 FEB 2026 · In this first episode of season 2, Helen is joined by her colleague Jenna Birchall.
As Helen Pettifer Training celebrates 10 years this year, we discuss what changes and progress has been made over the last decade in the vulnerability space.
We discuss the impacts vulnerability has on customers, colleagues and organisations, and what actions firms can take to better support people in challenging situations.
Why not join our free monthly Q&As and keep the conversation going - https://www.helenpettifer.com/category/events/live-q-and-a/
Follow me for more episodes, resources and vulnerability insights -
Email: helen@helenpettifer.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website: https://www.helenpettifer.com/
13 SEP 2022 · In this episode, Helen is joined by Lucy Dennis, Project Manager at Cruse Bereavement.
In their conversation, Lucy and Helen talk about grief and loss, how it impacts people and how organisations can support both colleagues and customers experiencing grief.
For more information on grief connect with Lucy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-dennis-75386b199/
Further resources on grief:
Lucy's blog for Cruse: - https://www.cruse.org.uk/about/blog/returning-to-work/
Grief at work- https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection/talks/grief-at-work
Marie Curie resources page about Grief at Work - https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/work
Marie Curie research on grief in the workplace - https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/work/employer-resources/research-data-bereavement-work
You can follow Helen Pettifer for future episodes and more consumer vulnerability information:
Email - info@helenpettifer.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/hpettifertrain
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website - https://www.helenpettifer.com
29 AUG 2022 · In this episode, Helen shares a snippet from her recent Vulnerability Mentoring Programme as she talks about building a Vulnerability Army within organisations.
You can follow Helen Pettifer for future episodes and more consumer vulnerability information:
Email - info@helenpettifer.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/hpettifertrain
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website - https://www.helenpettifer.com
15 AUG 2022 · In this episode, Helen is joined by Chezzy Kennedy, Neurodiversity consultant, trainer, coach and mentor with Thrive Mental Health & Wellbeing.
In their conversation, Chezzy and Helen talk about what neurodiversity is, how it impacts people and what businesses can do to better support customers and colleagues who are neurodiverse.
For more information on Neurodiversity, connect with Chezzy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chezzykennedy/
You can follow Helen Pettifer for future episodes and more consumer vulnerability information:
Email - info@helenpettifer.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/hpettifertrain
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website - https://www.helenpettifer.com
18 JUL 2022 · In this episode, Helen is joined by Robin Hewings, the Programme Director at Campaign to End Loneliness.
In their conversation, Robin and Helen talk about the risk factors leading to loneliness, how this impacts individuals and what we can do to support people in our communities who are lonely.
For more information on Campaign to End Loneliness:
Visit website - https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
You can follow Helen Pettifer for future episodes and more consumer vulnerability information:
Email - info@helenpettifer.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/hpettifertrain
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pettifer-unlocking-vulnerability/
Website - https://www.helenpettifer.com
This podcast is about one simple but powerful idea: supporting vulnerable customers better — with empathy, confidence, and good practice. I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical...
show more
This podcast is about one simple but powerful idea: supporting vulnerable customers better — with empathy, confidence, and good practice.
I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical ideas, and fresh perspectives on supporting people when it matters most.
Because vulnerability can affect any of us — at any time.
Join me for Unlocking Vulnerability.
Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation.
show less
I’ll be joined by brilliant guests sharing real stories, practical ideas, and fresh perspectives on supporting people when it matters most.
Because vulnerability can affect any of us — at any time.
Join me for Unlocking Vulnerability.
Listen, learn, and be part of the conversation.
Information
| Author | Helen Pettifer |
| Organization | Helen Pettifer |
| Categories | Business |
| Website | - |
| info@helenpettifer.com |
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